To: CBD National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points

To: CBD National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points, international organizations, indigenous

peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

United Nations Environment Programme

413 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 800, Montreal, QC, H2Y 1N9, Canada

Tel : +1 514 288 2220 Fax : +1 514 288 6588

secretariat@cbd.int www.cbd.int

Ref.: SCBD/CPU/STS/BCG/89211 20 October 2020

NOTIFICATION

Global Access and Benefit Sharing Conference 2020:

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol

Dear Madam/Sir,

I am delighted to inform you that the UNDP-GEF Global Access and Benefit-sharing Project and

the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in collaboration with the Governments of Japan

and Jordan and other partners, are organizing the virtual Global Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

Conference 2020: “The ABS we all need”. The Conference consists of online sessions, one to be held per

week between 29

October and 25 November 2020.

The Conference aims to bring together the ABS community to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the

adoption of the Nagoya Protocol, take stock of progress achieved in the last decade, as well as discuss “The

ABS we all need”, in preparation for the discussions in the context of the post-2020 global biodiversity

framework. The agenda and links for registration are included in the annex.

For more information on the Conference and to view a special “save the date” video, please consult

the CBD website at https://www.cbd.int/article/theabsweallneed/registration. I would like to invite you to

join the celebration on social media by sharing your birthday wishes for the Nagoya Protocol using the

hashtag #TheABSweAllNeed.

Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema

Executive Secretary

Enclosure

Annex

Conference agenda and registration links

Day 1: Happy Birthday Nagoya Protocol

When: 29 October 2020, 9:00 a.m. New York / 8 a.m. Panama

Topic: In this opening session, the ABS community commemorates the 10th anniversary of the adoption of

the Nagoya Protocol and gets together to celebrate its contribution to global environmental governance,

nature-based solutions and sustainable development. Hear what world leaders, authorities of multilateral

organizations, indigenous and community leaders and many other ABS actors have to say about it and get

inspired by their birthday wishes to the ABS we all need.

This session will be in English, with French and Spanish interpretation. Click here to register.

Day 2: ABS for Users I: A Dialogue between Governments and Researchers

When: 4 November 2020

Topic: How can scientists, as key users of genetic resources, be involved in policy making on access and

benefit sharing and fully comply with the principles of the Nagoya Protocol? This session gathers

Governments and researchers to exchange experiences and challenges to fill the gap between present ABS

implementation and the ABS we all need. This session will include three regional webinars, as follows:

Asia-Pacific and Central and Eastern Europe: 9 a.m. Brussels / 3 p.m. Bangkok

This session will be in English, with Russian interpretation. Click here to register.

Africa and Europe: 1 p.m. Brussels / 3 p.m. Nairobi

This session will be in English, with French interpretation. Click here to register.

Latin America: 5 p.m. Brussels / 11 a.m. Panama

This session will be in Spanish, with English interpretation. Click here to register.

Day 3: ABS for Users II: A Dialogue between Governments and Private Sector

When: 11 November 2020, 9:00 a.m. New York / Panama

Topic: Private sector is critical for ABS. It contributes to nature-based solutions and offers opportunities for

benefit sharing. Meet the companies that are taking the lead on ABS and biodiversity conservation and learn

different perspectives on how to reach private sectors’ full potential for the well-being of people and planet

through fair ABS deals.

This session will be in English, with French and Spanish interpretation. Click here to register.

Day 4: ABS Dialogue between Governments and Indigenous Peoples. The Lessons Learned

When: 18 November 2020, 9:00 a.m. New York / Panama

Topic: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are at the center of ABS. They are the

custodians of biodiversity and right holders of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.

Learn how IPLCs protect their practices and resources, what their needs are and how to address them in the

post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

This session will be in English, with French and Spanish interpretation. Click here to register.

Day 5: Building the ABS we all Need for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

When: 25 November 2020, 9:00 a.m. New York / Panama

Topic: World leaders, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and non-governmental organizations

invite you to a journey on the key messages and lessons learned derived from this webinar series. In this

closing session, participants will discuss challenges and opportunities for a new decade of Access and

Benefit Sharing in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

This session will be in English, with French and Spanish interpretation. Click here to register.